I want the sound to be something similar to John Du Cann's on earlier Atomic Rooster records.

I need a tool that I can use for practicing and recording in home studio, when I don't need instant sound changes that I can achieve having multiple preamp channels. Hence the wish for a single-channel preamp, also I thought it would be cheaper. And I won't do professional recording with it.

I want the sound to be something similar to John Du Cann's on earlier Atomic Rooster records.

I need a tool that I can use for practicing and recording in home studio, when I don't need instant sound changes that I can achieve having multiple preamp channels. Hence the wish for a single-channel preamp, also I thought it would be cheaper. And I won't do professional recording with it.

there are a number of tube preamps out there, but most will be a rack unit. if you just want something small for practicing, then you can get a portable solution like a Korg Pandora.

it's not tube, it is not strictly single channel, but it does have the I/O and it's very portable and ready to be plugged into some computer speakers or headphones.

__________________
punk isn't dead, it's always smelled that way.

"A perfection of means, and confusion of aims, seems to be our main problem."
-ae

I have a Behringer Tube Ultragain Mic 200 tube preamp ($40 new with one 12AX7.) It's not a heavy gain thing so I don't know why the "Ultragain." It does, however, give any amp, whether a solid state or a tube at low volume, a nice tube edginess. It's got a bunch of settings but I just leave it on the neutral channel. I think the thing's a godsend for quieter times. When used with my Crate Powerblock, it sounds great.* I'd gig with it, easy. I have nothing but positives to say about it. It doesn't have a headphone jack, though.

* I'm a hardore cranked-tubes person who uses no pedals and this passes muster, easy. It really does sound great. It made a guy's solid State Randall head sound pretty decent, too, so I don't think it'd be great for only a Powerblock.